Combination sash balance and weather strip



May 26, 1942. H. K. LUNDGREN COMBINATION SASH BALANCE AND WEATHER STRIP Filed Dec. 12, 1940 Patented May 26, 1942 COMBINATION SASH BALANCE AND WEATHER STRIP Herbert K. Lundgren, Ripon, Wis. Application December 12, 1940, Serial No. 369,823

I (CI. 20-52) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in a combined sash balance and weather strip and more particularly to an improvement in devices of this character which rely for their sash balancing function upon a coil spring.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a combined sash balance and weather strip structure wherein the coil spring and other parts are effectively housed or concealed so as to be thereby protected from the weather and whereby the structure when installed has a clean-cut, neat appearance free from suggestions of complicated mechanical construction; to provide such a structure which may be manufactured economically and at low-cost and which may be easily installed either in new or old work; to provide a combined sash balance and weather strip which will be durable and eliicient in use both in respect of its sash balancing function and Fig. 1 is a cross section through a window frame above the irmer and outer sashes;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the window frame showing the parts of the improved sash balance and weather strip structure in place but with the sashes removed to more clearly illustrate the parts of the improved structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective illustrating a step in the method of installing the improved structure;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of an end portion'of a part of the improved structure;

Fig. 5 is a perspective vof an end portion of another part of the improved structure; and

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of a part of the improved structure but showing a modified form of construction.

As shown in the drawing, inner and outer sashes Hi and l I, respectively, are vertically slidably mountefd in a frame structure which comprises a meinber 12, an outer stop [3, an inner. stop I4 and an intermediate stop l5. The stops l4 and 45 together with the intervening portion of the member l2 provide a way for slidably guiding the-inner sash [0. The stops l3 and I5 and the intervening portion of the member l2 provide a way for slidably guiding the outer sash H.

edges of the member ll.

The inner and outer sashes l0 and II have their side edges grooved out as indicated at It, the groove or way l6 extending from top to bottom of each sash.

The improved sash balance and weather strip comprises a main member ll which comprises a base part l8 and a spring housing part l9. For

convenience in production, the base part I8 and housing l9 are made separately and assembled in the relationship shown. For this purpose, the housing part I9 is provided with a laterally outwardly extending flange 20 which is disposed in face to face relation with a marginal portion of the base member l8. Said flange 20 has a nar-' row marginal portion 2| re-bent so as to embrace a marginal portion of the base l8 to clamp the latter in assembled relation to the housing part. If desired, a series of indentations,.such as indicated at 22, may be provided for more securely locking the flange part 20 in predetermined relation to the base part I8.

As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the memher I! is positioned in the ways of the window 4 of the base.

The housing part 19 is so formed that it will fit snugly in the groove N5 of the sash, it being understood that the weather strip structure is adapted to be made of light weight spring metal which may be flexed from an oversize so as to fit snugly within the groove l6. In other words, the housing I9 is initially made so that its crosssectional expanse is somewhat larger than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the groove l6, so that when the housing part [9 is inserted in the groove IS, the housing part will be necessarily compressed somewhat. Hence, a desirable amount of friction is produced between the housing l9 and the walls of the groove 16 which serves to govern the slidability of the sash on the member Hi. It will also be observed that the housing l9 may be offset indts entirety either inwardly or outwardly of the plane of the sash so as to increase or decrease the tightness of the contact of either side of the housing with the adjacent side wall portion of the groove in the sash. Such offsetting may be effected by bending the main member ll in or adjacent the angle between the base flange 20 and the side wall portion of the housing I3 which extends from said flange.

It will be noted that due to the snug fit of the housing 19 in the groove it of the sash, a weather stripping effect results. Such weather stripping effect is preferably augmented by means of a flange formation 24 formed at the anchored edge of the base part l8 and arranged to frictionally engage the marginal portion of the sash. As clearly shown, the flange 24 is preferably bent inwardly, i. e., toward the sash, intermediate the edges of the flange, so that there is more or less of a cushioning eflect produced which tends to maintain the sash in contact with the oppositely disposed stop. there is a tight fit produced between the one face of the sash and a stop, and between the opposite face of the sash and the said marginal flange 24.

The base H is also preferably offset inwardly intermediate its width as shown in Figure 1. so as to also produce somewhat of a cushion or resilient arrangement for maintaining the sash H centered between the opposite sides of the window frame. The inward arching or buckling of the base part l8 also serves to avoid a tendency for the unsecured edge of the structure from separating from the window frame part l2 incident to the anchorage at the opposite edge of the base part.

A coil spring 25 of predetermined suitable strength is disposed within the housing l9 and it has one end hooked over the upper end of the base part I8 substantially as indicated at 25. Other means for anchoring the upper end of the spring 25 to the upper end portion of the member I!- may, of course, be employed but' the described arrangement. is practical and efficient.

The lower end of the spring 25 has its end hooked as indicated at 21 to the lower end portion of a window strip member 28 which is of the form shown in Figure 5.

The window strip 28 may be of metal somewhat heavier than the main member l1 'and it comprises a base part 28 and a re-bent, hooklike part 38. The base part 29 is of such width that it may be secured by screws orotherwise as indicated at 3| to the side edge of the sash with its hook part 30 disposed within the area of the groove IS in embracing relationship to a fiange'part 32 formed integrally with one wall of the housing part l9. As shown, the flange part 32 extends laterally inwardly from one side wall of the housing part I9 and it has its free edge re-bent or hemmed as indicated at 33.

The hook part 38 of the window strip 28 snugly embraces said hemmed edge 33 and constitutes, in effect, a further weather stripping in that the interfitting hemmed edge 33 and hook 30 serve to resist the passage of drafts therebetween.

The window strip 28 preferably corresponds in length to the vertical dimension of the sash as clearly shown in Figure 3 and the lower end of the spring 25 maybe attached to the lower end of the window strip by punching a tonguelike member 34 out of the hook portion 38 to receive the hook formation on the lower end of the spring. It will be evident that lowering of the outer and normally upper sash II will be resisted by the spring 25. The frictional gripping eflect between the various contacting parts already referred to is sufllcient to hold the win- (low in any desired lowered position against the Thus tendency of the spring to return the window to its normal upper position. However, slight manual force applied to the window is suihcient to move the window either upwardly or downwardly as may be desired.

The inner sash I0 is slidably mounted and resiliently supported by a spring structure enclosed with a housing I8 substantially in the same manner as already described in connection with the upper and outer sash. However, it is preferred (although not necessary) to reverse the positioning of the sash balance and weather stripping parts as clearly indicated in Figure 1. As there shown, the main member I1 is anchored to the frame adjacent the outer edge of the member I! and the laterally extending flange part 24 of the main member cooperates with the outer face of the sash rather than with the inner face as in the case of the upper sash.

Also, in the reversed arrangement, the window strip 28 is secured to the edge portion of the sash outside of the groove I6 therein instead of to the portion inside of the groove as in the case of the upper sash.

In the case of the lower sash, the counterbalancing spring is maintained in a stretched or extended condition so that it will assist in the upward movement of the lower sash which-is more often opened than the upper sash. The spring 25 for the inner or lower sash has its upper end anchored to the upper end of the main member I! by being hooked thereover as shown and the lower end of the spring is secured to the lower end of the sash strip 28 adjacent the lower edge of the sash substantially in the same manner as explained in respect of the upper sash. However, if desired the spring for the inner sash may have its lower end secured to the window strip 28 adjacent the upper end of the strip and adjacent the upper end of the said sash. In that case, a different spring would be required whereas when the arrangement is as shown in Figure 2, the same type of spring may be employed for both the innerand outer sashes.

To install the described structure, a sash strip such as 28 is secured to the sash and a main member I1 is assembled with the sash and caused strip. The spring 25 may first have its lower end secured to the lower end of the sash strip and after assembly of the main member I! with the sash and sash strip, the upper end of the spring may be hooked over the upper end of the said main member H. The spring will then tend to maintain the sash in elevated position-with its upper end substantially flush with the upper end of the main member IT. The sash with the weather strip and balance structure thus associated with its opposite sides may then be inserted in the window frame, the stops "-45 being first removed topermit insertion of the outer sash, and only the stop It being removed to permit similar insertion of the inner sash. The fastening means 23 may then be applied to the then downwardly extending portions of the main member [1, after which the sashes may be moved downwardly and the fastening means applied to the then upwardly extending portions.

In the modified construction shown in Figure 6, the main member is designated l'la. It corresponds substantially to the member I! of the preferred form of construction and differs therefrom in that the base part l8a is in flat form, and in that the base part l8a and the housing part Ha are integrally formed with the resultrebent part 2| in the first described construction. The modified construction shown in Figure 6 is somewhat more difiicult to produce in that it requires larger and more expensive forming equipmentbut there is no substantial benefit gained by this more expensive form of construction.

The described construction completely encloses the counterbalancing springs which are thereby effectively protected from the weather and whereby the spring is concealed from view with corresponding improvement in the general appearance of the structure. Various kinds of metals or alloys or combinations of metals may be employed and various changes in the described structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broad- 1y as possible, consistent with the state of the into said housing between said flangeand said 1 base member and re'-bent around said flange and another portion extending outwardly from said housing {or attachment toa sash, and a spring disposed within said housing and having its opposite ends connected respectively to said base.

member and said strip.

2. A sash balance comprising a base member and a tubular housing, the housing having opposed side portions connected together at their outer edges, one of said side portions having its other edge connected to said base member and the other of said side portions having its other edge provided with a flange extending inwardly of the housing in spaced and approximately par allel relation to said base member, a sash strip having a portion extending into, said housing be-. tween said flange and said base member and rebent around said flange and another portion extending outwardly from said housing for attachment to a sash; and a spring disposed within said housing and having its opposite ends connected respectively to said base member and said strip.

3. A sash balance comprising a base member and a tubular housing, the housing having opposed, relatively spaced side portions interconnected at their outer edges and one of which side portions extends laterally from said base member in inwardly spaced relation to one edge of the posite ends connected respectively to said base member and said strip.

4. A sash balance comprising a base member and a tubular housing, the housing having opposed side portions one of which is connected to said base member and the other of which is provided with a flange extending inwardly of the housing in spaced relation to said base member, there being also a front portion integrally connecting said housing side portions, said housing being formed of spring material and of such shape that said side portions are relatively compressible, a sash strip having a portion extending into said housing'between said flange and said base member and re-bent around said flange, a portion of said strip extending outwardly of said housing for attachment to a sash, and a spring disposed within said housing and having its opposite ends connected respectively to said base member and said strip.

5. In a spring balance for a sash which is vertically slidably mounted in a guideway in a window frame, the combination of a vertically elongated, outwardly facing U-shaped housing I adapted tobe recessed into the side edge of the sash so that the sash is slidable thereover, a pair of flanges extending laterally in the same direction from the free edges of the respective side portions of said U-shaped member, one of said flanges constituting a base flange adapted to be secured to the bottom wall of theguideway in which the sash is slidable, thereby to hold said housing in fixed position, the other of said flanges being disposed in inwardly spaced relation to the plane of said base flange so as to provide an access opening intermediate said bottom wall of the guide-way and said other flange, a coil spring disposed within said housing, and a spring-to-sash .connector comprising an inner part disposed intermediate said housing side portions and connected to said spring within the housing, and an outer part extending from said inner part and extending through said access opening into overlying relation to an edge portion of the sash for securement thereto.

6. In a spring balance for a sash which is vertically slidably mounted in a guide-way in a window frame, the combination of a vertically elongated, outwardly facing U-shaped housing adapted to be recessed into the side edge of the sash so that the sash is slidable thereover, a pair of flanges extending laterally in the same direction from the free edges of the respective side porlatter and is connected tosaid base member,

the other of said side portions being disposed in laterally extending relation to said base member in inwardly spaced relation'to the other edge thereof. said other side portion having a free edge providedwith a flange extending inwardly oi the housing in spaced relation to said base member, a sash strip having a portionextending into said housing between said flange and said base member, and re-bent around said flange and another portion extending outwardly from said housing for attachment to a sash, and a spring disposed within said housing-and having its options of said U-shaped member, one of said flanges constituting a base flange adapted to be secured to the bottom wall 01. the guide-way in which the sash is slidable, thereby to hold said housing in fixed position, the other of said flanges being disposed in inwardly spaced relation to the plane of said base flange so as to provide an access opening intermediate said bottom wall of the guide-way and said other flange, a coil spring disposed within said housing, a sprlng-to-sash connector comprising an inner part extending into said'housing intermediate said housing side portions and connected to said spring within the inner part and extending through said access opening into overlying relation to an edge por- HERBERT K. LUNDGREN.

.housing and an outer part extending from said 

